Awards

The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who after 5 April 1917 have been wounded or killed in action against an enemy of the United States or an opposing armed force, while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict, as the result of acts of enemy or hostile opposing forces, as a result of terrorist attacks or attacks on peacekeeping forces since 28 March 1973, or by friendly fire in circumstance as described above.

The National Defense Service Medal was established by Executive Order on 22 April 1953, as amended on 11 January 1966, 18 October 1991 and 28 March 2003. It is awarded for honorable active service in the United States Armed Forces for any period between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954, 1 January 1961 and 14 August 1974, 2 August 1990 and 30 November 1995 or 11 September 2001 through a date to be determined. Broadly recognizing honorable active service during a period of national emergency, the award does not apply to members of the National Guard or Reserve temporarily on duty for training only, temporary duty on boards or commissions, or temporary duty to take a physical examination.

The Korean Service Medal was established by Executive Order on 8 November 1950 as amended on 28 February 2003. It is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for service between 27 June 1950 and 27 July 1954: in or over Korea and its surrounding waters, in a unit under the operational control of the Commander in Chief Far East designated by him as directly supporting military efforts in Korea, or that resulted in a certificate from the Commander in Chief Far East testifying to individual contribution to military efforts in Korea. If in the Army, one bronze service star may be affixed for participation in each of ten official campaigns, and an arrowhead device may be affixed for participation in a combat parachute jump, helicopter assault landing, combat glider landing, or amphibious assault landing. Service will have been as a result of permanent assignment, when on temporary duty for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days, or as certified by a commander of appropriate grade.

The Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation has been awarded by the Republic of Korea to those United States military units and those units of other nations who fought as their allies during the Korean War (1950 – 1953). The award has also been authorized to other units of the United States Army that served in Korea between 1950 and 1954. An individual can only wear one such award, even if he or she served in multiple units.

The United Nations Service Medal was established as an international award by United Nations General Assembly resolution on 12 December 1950, and accepted for the United States Armed Forces by the President of the United States on 27 November 1951. It is awarded to members of the of the United States Armed Forces who served in or over Korea and its surrounding waters on behalf of the United Nations effort during the period 27 June 1950 through 27 July 1954. It is also awarded to personnel in quasi-military or paramilitary units dispatched by the United States to assist the United Nations effort in Korea during the same period. Personnel of the United Nations and its specialized agencies or of the International Red Cross are not eligible.

The Republic of Korea War Service Medal was established by the Republic of Korea and offered to United States Armed Forces on 15 November 1951. It was accepted by the United States Department of Defense on 20 August 1999. It is awarded to veterans of the United States Armed Forces who served in Korea and its adjacent waters between 25 June 1950 and 27 July 1953. The service must have been as a result of permanent assignment, while on temporary duty for 30 consecutive or 60 nonconsecutive days, or while aircraft crew members in flight participating in combat operations or in support of combat operations.

Combat Action Ribbon (Navy)

Lieutenant Ables was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He was Killed in Action while fighting the enemy in Korea on April 29, 1951. ** Second Lieutenant Ables was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.